Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Pictures From My Vacation


Cupids arrow at the Embarcadero, I left my heart ... sigh.

A common occurrence I'm sure but near the Ferry Building there was a real life modeling photo shoot. Poor girl, it was about 40 degrees, I was shivering in my full winter gear.


A Castro gay bar, only in San Francisco.


I know it's a cliche but the bridge really is magnificent, my sis and I were on this little charter boat just flying across the ocean, I was afraid my camera was going to fall in the entire time.


The San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, we went to see The Nutcracker on my birthday. This is also where I had my first legal drink (white wine), but they didn't card me, such a let down.


We don't go all out for the holidays in Tucson so I was thrilled at the 60 ft tall Christmas trees all lit up and sparkling.

The Christmas decorations at the Westfield Shopping Centre, an elephant could have jumped through these wreaths. I felt like such a tourist rubbernecking in the mall.


The view from my hotel window in the Hilton (aren't I lucky!), that is Coit tower on the hill, a memorial to the firefighters who served in the 1906 earthquake. The hills here were at a 60 degree angle, much funner going down than up.


Another pic of the tree, isn't it pretty?


This is a small beach near Ghiradelli Square, which has been officially dubbed 'my spot'. I collected shells and driftwood and tested my bravery by running in to my shins. The water was just a couple degrees above freezing but as I've been to the ocean only a handful of times i couldn't help myself.

When I move here this mall just may break my budget, about 7 stories and having all the high end stores I salivate over online. One of the best features was the food court, one of the best steak meals I've ever had was there. The circling escalators which were fun at first though got old very quickly.

No Longer AWOL

I'm back...
As anyone not currently living in a cave should know, it is a financially scary time, but I am personally feeling great about my financial situation. I have been at my current serving job for about seven months and I still really like working there. I have been making awesome tips (though unfortunately not as much as last month, people are getting stingier, but not by much). I should be able to hoard away nearly $1,200 this month, and an additional decent amount (in my piggy bank) for my next trip. This will bring my San Francisco move fund to a total of $5,000, over 20% of my highest goal!!! Having a round number and a decent start on my grand total is really inspiring me to save more.

This inspiration has turned me (at least for the last two weeks) into a savings fiend. Thus far, I have had about 14 no-spend days and I expect to have a couple more before months end. I am also actually excited about working and making more money, I've been asking for more hours which is unusual for me.

Unfortunately my big savings account (which is Wells Fargo Bonds) is not feeling as inspired, I think I have lost about $200 in all, not bad considering the financial disasters happening everywhere. So I think after I get five grand in this account I'll stand working on a CD, which brings in less interest (though at least I'll be gaining money instead of losing it) and I may want to invest a small (possibly $1000) amount in the stock market in something that is sucking right now but which will improve sometime in the future like an electric or water company...any ideas?

But one thing which is in trouble financially is my university. My poor school has had to make about $200 million in budget cuts this year meaning that they have started slashing left in right. Two of our museums have closed and the others have dramatically reduced their hours and staff, they've cut the arts programs by 75% (though the sports programs are going strong...hmm) and they've laid off nearly 100 professors.
It could be worse, the other state school in Arizona has cut their scholarship program.

I'm just hoping my finances remain strong, and that all your has also remained healthy!!!

I will write more tomorrow about my vacation, and hopefully upload pictures.